whirlpool
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whirlpool
- /ˈwɝlpul/ US
- /ˈhwɝlpul/ US
- /ˈwɜːlpuːl/ UK
Where it comes from
From earlier whirlpoole, whirlpole, apparently from Middle English *whirlpole, potentially coalescing Old English hwierfel (“whirlpool”) and Old English hwierfepōl (“whirlpool”). Equivalent to whirl + pool. Cognate with Scots quhirlepole, whirle-pule (“whirlpool”). Compare also English whirlpit.
Eclipsed non-native Middle English gurges (“whirlpool”), borrowed from Latin gurges (“whirlpool”).
noun whirlpools
- A swirling body of water. A whirlpool is an instance of a vortex produced by ocean tides, or by a hole underneath where the water would drain out, such as in a bathtub.
- A hot tub, a jacuzzi. The meatloaf has been cooking in the oven for the last hour and should be ready just about the time George climbs out of the whirlpool.
- A state of turmoil or agitated excitement.
verb whirlpools · whirlpooling · whirlpooled
- To spin or swirl like the water in a whirlpool.
Thesaurus
Closest in meaning: maelstrom, swirl, vortex, whirl, gurge, purl, eddy, wash, flurry, stir, jacuzzi, reverse, backwater, turmoil, whirlwind, vorticity
Translations
Every language
noun swirling body of water
| Español | remolino, vorágine |
|---|---|
| 日本語 | 渦 uzu |
| 中文 | 渦流 /涡流 wōliú, 渦 /涡 wō |
| हिन्दी | जलघुमर jalghumar |
| Português | redemoinho, remoinho, rodamoinho, turbilhão, vórtice, sorvedouro |
| Français | tourbillon |
| Deutsch | Wirbel, Strudel, Stromschnelle |
| Italiano | vortice, mulinello, gorgo |
| Ελληνικά | δίνη díni |
| Română | vâltoare, volbură, vârtej |
| Русский | водоворо́т vodovorót |
| Tiếng Việt | xoáy nước |
| العربية | دَوَّامَة dawwāma |
| עברית | מְעַרְבֹּלֶת ma'arbólet |
Talk about this word "whirlpool." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/whirlpool. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. whirlpool. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/whirlpool "whirlpool." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/whirlpool.Cite this
@misc{whirlpool_2026,
title = {whirlpool},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/whirlpool},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
